Replacing the Power Supply

    This guide provides the information you need to replace a power supply.

    Installing a power supply involves removing and installing not only the power supply, but also removing and reinstalling some system components as well.

    Installing a power supply is a process that consists of three procedures that must be done in sequence:

    1. Prepare for installation.
    2. Remove system components and the power supply.
    3. Install the power supply and system components.

    Important

    The illustrations in this document show a typical computer. They may not exactly match your configuration and may include options you did not purchase. However, they are similar enough to your computer that they should help you install your power supply successfully.

    Preparing for installation

    To prepare for installation:

      1. Find a a place to install the new hardware that:
    Is clean. (Avoid dusty areas.)
    Is a low-static environment. (Avoid carpeted areas.)
    Has a stable platform on which to set your computer.
    Is near a telephone in case you need technical support assistance from Customer Care. The telephone must be directly connected to a telephone jack and cannot be connected to your computer.
      1. Obtain these additional items:
    Phillips and flat-blade screwdrivers.
    A notebook to take notes.
    A grounding wrist strap
    (available at most electronic stores).
    A small container to hold hardware parts, such as screws, while you are working.
    The documentation that came with your computer.

      Important

      If you do not have printed documentation, go to the Gateway Web site (www.gateway.com) and print the appropriate document before starting the installation procedure.

           

      Preventing static electricity discharge

        The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).

        Caution

        ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge-sensitive components in the computer. Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every time you open the computer case.

          Warning

          To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

            Before opening the computer case, follow these guidelines:

          Turn off the computer power.
          Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and attach it to a bare metal part of the computer.

            Warning

            To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent holes of the power supply.

            Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.
            Unplug the power cord and modem and network cables.

              Before working with computer components, follow these guidelines:

            Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing foam.
            Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use them. Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.
            Always hold expansion cards by their edges or their metal mounting brackets. Avoid touching the edge connectors and components on the cards. Never slide expansion cards or components over any surface.

            Removing the old power supply

              When replacing a failed power supply:

            Take careful notes about the type and orientation of the cables and their connections. This manual describes typical cables and computer components. Your system may be somewhat different.
            Label the groups of screws removed in the following procedures, so that you will know which screws you need to reinstall each part.

              Important

              The illustrations in this document show a typical computer. They may not exactly match your configuration and may include options you did not purchase. However, they are similar enough to your computer that they should help you install your power supply successfully.

              Disconnecting the drive power supply cables

              To remove the drive power supply cables:

                1. Turn off the computer, then remove the computer case cover following the static electricity precautions on page.
                  Refer to the documentation that came with your computer for instructions on removing your computer case cover.
                1. Remove the power supply cables from the back of the hard drives and CD or DVD drives.
                1. Remove the power supply cable from the back of the diskette drive.
                1. Remove any power supply cables that are attached to other drives or powered components in your computer, such as Zip drives, tape back up drives, or cooling fans.

                   

              Disconnecting the system board power supply cables

              To disconnect the system board power supply cables:

                1. Locate the power supply connector on the system board.
                1. Press the lock on the power supply cable connector and remove the power supply cable harness from the system board. Make sure that you pull the connector, not the cables.
                1. If you have a two-wire fan power cable connected to the system board, remove the cable from the system board. Make sure that you pull the connector, not the cables.

                   

              Removing the power supply

              To remove the power supply:

                1. While supporting the power supply with your hand, remove the screws that secure the power supply to the case.

                1. Place the screws you removed into a small container and label the container "power supply screws."

                2. Remove the power supply from the case.

                   

              To remove the power supply from a toolless case:

                1. Flip the power supply retention clip out.
                1. While supporting the power supply with your hand, slide the power supply toward the front of the case, then outward.

                   

              Installing the power supply

              To install the power supply:

                1. Align the power supply with the power supply screw holes on the case.

                2. While supporting the power supply with your hand, secure the power supply to the case using the screws in the container marked "power supply screws."

                   

              To install the power supply in a toolless case:

                1. While supporting the power supply with your hand, slide the power supply inward, then toward the back of the case.
                1. Flip the power supply retention clip up to secure the power supply.

                   

              Connecting the system board power supply cables

              To connect the power cable on the system board:

                1. Find the power supply connector on the system board.
                1. Connect the power supply cable harness to the system board.
                1. If you removed a two-wire fan power cable from the system board, connect the cable to the system board.

                   

              Connecting the drive power supply cables

              To connect the drive power supply cables:

                1. Connect the power supply cables to the back of your hard drives, and CD or DVD drives.
                1. Connect the power supply cable to the back of your diskette drive.

                1. Connect any power supply cables that are attached to other drives or powered components in your computer, such as Zip drives, tape back up drives, or cooling fans.

                2. Replace the computer case cover.
                  Refer to the documentation that came with your computer for instructions on replacing your computer case cover.

                1. Reconnect the external cables, then plug in the power cord.

                2. Turn on the computer.